NCT Waiting list

seanyleary

Has anyone tryed to book an NCT lately, just TRYED to book kells, cavan and mullingar, nothing. So i rang and was put on a call back list which is not great if stopped by the gardai. Whats the big delay on NCT's at the min, are they on strike aswel.

si_guru

When is your NCT due?

seanyleary

just imported the car so it's the first nct, i am not to bothered if it never got nct but just wondering will the garda be of ok with fact i cannt even book one.

DublinWriter

Drogheda is usually quiet.

Tefral

I got sent both a text message and a letter from the NCT last year at the height of their backlog saying that i had rang for a test and that i was in the queue, got stopped by a guard and i showed him the letter and he was happy with that and i went on my way, see can you get one of those letters?

seanyleary

yea they might send a letter, why such a big waiting list.

zilog_jones

The waiting lists are terrible again nearly everywhere. I don't know if it's because of the new management or what. The online booking is as good as useless.

You probably should try and get some written proof you've tried booking for the test and keep it with you as the guards are a lot stricter about the NCT now.

jackofalltrades

yea they might send a letter, why such a big waiting list.

A large number of motorists never bothered to get an NCT as the law wasn't particularly well enforced. Then one day it was announced that not having an NCT would lead to up to 5 penalty points. And just like the changes to the penalties for driving unaccompianed on a privisional licence everyone panicked and tried to book a test the next day overloading the system, and causing huge delays.

If you want to book a test quick I'd check the online system on an hourly basis, if you can and try and be as flexible as you can on location.

Chippy01

Just keep trying online would be my suggestion.
I have phoned them a number of times over the past month (NCT due on 4th April).
Each time I was promised a letter within 5 days to say that I had applied for test and was waiting for an opening. Needless to say, no such letter arrived.
I tried again online this afternoon and found just one opening at 2pm tomorrow at my local depot. No other openings for the next two months.
Booked it immediately, so here's hoping....................

debbie123

Chippy01 wrote: »

Just keep trying online would be my suggestion.
I have phoned them a number of times over the past month (NCT due on 4th April).
Each time I was promised a letter within 5 days to say that I had applied for test and was waiting for an opening. Needless to say, no such letter arrived.
I tried again online this afternoon and found just one opening at 2pm tomorrow at my local depot. No other openings for the next two months.
Booked it immediately, so here's hoping....................

nct are terrible at the moment rang to book in my car got through to the dublin number got through to really horrible woman with an attitude didn get her name cuz she spoke so fast my first time nct'ing a car so asked for my local centre said there was a backlog in that centre so i said ok would you be able to tell me the nearest one to that centre and she says "i dont know you tell me im all the way up in dublin" this was neither helpful or pleasant as i was just asking a question and genuinely didnt know because id never done these tests before so it looks like she was too damn lazy to press a button on her computer to tell me some people dont realise who lucky they are to have jobs with the way they treat customers you can bet there would be plenty more pleasant hardworking people only too eager to take their place with the way things are at the minute !!!

slimjimmc

Debbie123, some punctuation would help to make your post legible. I couldn't be bothered trying to decypher one big long sentence. Can you try again please? Thanks.

zilog_jones

debbie123 wrote: »

...so asked for my local centre said there was a backlog in that centre so i said ok would you be able to tell me the nearest one to that centre and she says "i dont know you tell me im all the way up in dublin" this was neither helpful or pleasant as i was just asking a question and genuinely didnt know because id never done these tests before...

I had a similar experience before. The local centre was fully booked so I asked where's the next nearest centre and they hadn't a clue. I suggested Shannon (I didn't know there wasn't one there) and the girl on the phone said "Carrick-on-Shannon?" :rolleyes:

It wouldn't kill them to learn some geography, it's not exactly a big country...

Chippy01

zilog_jones wrote: »

I had a similar experience before. The local centre was fully booked so I asked where's the next nearest centre and they hadn't a clue. I suggested Shannon (I didn't know there wasn't one there) and the girl on the phone said "Carrick-on-Shannon?" :rolleyes:

It wouldn't kill them to learn some geography, it's not exactly a big country...

If you look on thier website you can bring up all the test centres they have on map.
The easiest thing to do is to list the centres closest to yourself in order of preference, and then start trying to find a time and date that suits.
Simples!!;)

muckwarrior

My NCT isn't due till september, but if waiting lists are so long I might book it soon. Am I right in thinking that even if the test is done in May my NCT will still be dated from September? Is there a limit to how far in advance you can get it done?

Chippy01

muckwarrior wrote: »

My NCT isn't due till september, but if waiting lists are so long I might book it soon. Am I right in thinking that even if the test is done in May my NCT will still be dated from September? Is there a limit to how far in advance you can get it done?

According to the NCT, you can take your test up to 3 months in advance of it's due date.

robtri

interesting one....

two guys in work rang up about NCT... where told 9 weeks wait time...
so i told them to ring the call centre.... and ask is the test then free as per their charter...

and guess what.. once they asked for the free NCT they got a new date... within the required time so they have to pay.....
all of a sudden they had a choice of times on a few days....
that where previously booked out ......

amazing... but true.....

Little Miss Cutie

I might have been lucky but managed to book myself and my sister into the NCT centre in Ballymun about 2 weeks ago on a Monday for that Satyrday at the time I wanted so maybe try that centre?

Barr

robtri wrote: »

interesting one....

two guys in work rang up about NCT... where told 9 weeks wait time...
so i told them to ring the call centre.... and ask is the test then free as per their charter...

and guess what.. once they asked for the free NCT they got a new date... within the required time so they have to pay.....
all of a sudden they had a choice of times on a few days....
that where previously booked out ......

amazing... but true.....

Is there a specific time frame so they have to get you in

macplaxton

Barr wrote: »

Is there a specific time frame so they have to get you in

28 days, see their CHARTER

mgbgt1978

That's right. they have to provide you with a test date within 28 days. DO NOT let them tell you that this has been suspended because of the backlog or that they are a new company running the tests now. this 28 day limit is not in their charter as some sort of customer service promise
(as they would like to have you believe), it is stipulated by the government as part of their contract. I have had this row with them 3 times in the last two years and EACH time they were able to "find" me an appointment within 28 days.

ahal

I don't know if the yearly testing of older cars has started yet, but if it has no doubt that's adding to the problem ...

Stark

Got a date within 2 weeks with Northpoint in Ballymun.

macplaxton

ahal wrote: »

I don't know if the yearly testing of older cars has started yet, but if it has no doubt that's adding to the problem ...

June next year

EPM

My sister got one within 3 days in Blarney the other week...

voxpop

Again - posted this before, but if anyone is in need, deansgrange has loads of open slots - just booked my retest and had the whole of April to choose.

Stark

Hmm. I just tried to reschedule my test in Northpoint there and the website system is now telling me there are no vacant slots between now and the end of May. When I booked a few days ago, practically every day had 5 or 6 slots available. Similar story with other centres. Flaky website perhaps?

debbie123

Chippy01 wrote: »

If you look on thier website you can bring up all the test centres they have on map.
The easiest thing to do is to list the centres closest to yourself in order of preference, and then start trying to find a time and date that suits.
Simples!!;)

but there supposed to be providing a service i was on phone to her so she couldve told me there and then thats her job. i mean i know you can look it up on internet but she was just so rude and unpleasant it really put me off:mad::(. on internet would be much simpler but no laser or credit card so probably cant book havent checked only student with zilch money but thanks 4 tip anyways!!!:)

debbie123

zilog_jones wrote: »

I had a similar experience before. The local centre was fully booked so I asked where's the next nearest centre and they hadn't a clue. I suggested Shannon (I didn't know there wasn't one there) and the girl on the phone said "Carrick-on-Shannon?" :rolleyes:

It wouldn't kill them to learn some geography, it's not exactly a big country...

lol its true could probably find it at click of a button surely they know where the centres are located to book the tests for u. thank god someone agrees wit me.:)

debbie123

slimjimmc wrote: »

Debbie123, some punctuation would help to make your post legible. I couldn't be bothered trying to decypher one big long sentence. Can you try again please? Thanks.

am not couldn be bothered punctuating it...... its a forum not an english exam. if u cant be bothered to read it dont really mind. just recounting my experience in my view its legible because most of words are spelt correctly thats good enough for me!!!! as was the B i got im my leaving certificate higher level english exam last year so cant be that bad!!!:D

muckwarrior

debbie123 wrote: »

am not couldn be bothered punctuating it...... its a forum not an english exam. if u cant be bothered to read it dont really mind. just recounting my experience in my view its legible because most of words are spelt correctly thats good enough for me!!!! as was the B i got im my leaving certificate higher level english exam last year so cant be that bad!!!:D

It's a forum, not bebo.

debbie123

muckwarrior wrote: »

It's a forum, not bebo.

everyones comin down on me like a ton bricks of today. Read the charter now i understand all the punctuation controversy ok wont do that again sorry!!!!

cruizer101

I have to say my experience with the online site is pretty bad, it seems quite hit and miss, with free times randomly showing up here and there, probably much better calling them.

I ended up being quite lucky and must have just refreshed after someone cancelled or something as I just managed to get one for next tuesday, which is in 3 working days time .

TskTsk

I booked mine in for April 12th in Ballymun, and the chap on the phone said that they're pretty clear for that whole week over there.

Their website is bull****, just phone them instead.

yop

Site is still "down", can't get past May and not dates appearing "in green" either for April and May.

Is it best to book by phone?

Some pile of pants that the site seems to be un-useable now for so long

TskTsk

yop wrote: »

Is it best to book by phone?

Yes. The phone agents have proper access to the schedule for each test centre and will be able to tell you when there are cancelled slots available.

McSpud

I was looking to see what dates available via the website and because I couldn't remember what my registered date was (did not have access to cert at the time) I started to guess from start of May. After a few unsuccessful attempts the site blocked me & now seems I have to call them. I don't see the logic in blocking access... I don't remember it working like that 2 years ago.

Absurdum

the website is hopeless, telephone is the only way unfortunately

eth0_

DublinWriter wrote: »

Drogheda is usually quiet.

Nope. Seven week wait at the moment in Drogheda.

Thanks to the person who said if they can't fit you in within 28 days the test is free - i'm going to call them today ;-)

Greentrees

Just booked mine for the end of May!!! Must also check and see if it is now free thanks for that tip!

I found this press release on the AA website that says:
What if you are stopped by a Garda and you have no NCT?
The Garda have confirmed that once a motorist has applied for the NCT and has a receipt to that effect there will be no prosecution and hence no penalty points.

As soon as you call and book you can get a text to confirm your booking and should be ok! How annoying though!!! :mad: they have the end of may 24th - 30th available today in Deansgrange today calling was a million times easier than website you just need your reg.

MagicSean

I booked two cars into Fonthill within three weeks using the online booking. One of them failed and I had it booked in for a retest the next day using online booking too.

Basq

My NCT is up end of May, and apparently the first week is June is the next available date for Sligo! :eek:

Gambas

End of June for Galway they are saying on the phone...

hi5

Nothing in Kilkenny at all,I can't even get a confirmation of booking letter out of them and I'm waiting over a month now,test is due the end of April.
I'm on a priority list for a 'confirmation of booking' letter,I've rang 3 times now.
What do I show the guards?
This is ridiculous,this means I will not be able to drive my car from the first of May if I dont recieve a letter.
The Government appointed these people to provide a service and they are not capable of doing so,any suprise there?
I would have thought that if something is legally compulsory and the customer has gone through the correct channels in good time, then the onus is on the provider to provide and not the customer to go running around after them.

dna_leri

NCT wait list getting worse.

Tried to get a booking today in my local centre a few miles away from where I live. The on-line service did not seem to be working so I called the "helpline". They said there were no bookings available for the next 3 months and they could not book further out than that.

My next nearest centre is 40 miles away, but it was also the same story there. Finally I was put on a waiting list for my local centre.

Anyone know if the Gardai are enforcing the penalty points?
I would think you would have good grounds for appeal if you did get caught.

Basq

Cheers for the reminder bump... forgot to ring NCT test centre.

My NCT cert expired today! :eek:

witnessmenow

Mine expired a month ago, I booked a test about 7 weeks ago for the 28th of june!

If that wasnt bad enough, I never received a letter so i dont even have proof that i did!

Such a joke shop, I dont mind doing the damn thing if they would sort it out! Max you should be waiting for a test is 3-4 weeks (MAX!)

Degsy

The NCT centre in Ballymun had my test within a week and my retest the next day.

johnny_adidas

mine is out since feb but they have me down for a restest in july apparently they notified me of this by text when i checked the online system but never did receive it. didnt know it was being clamped down on so now ill be looking for a letter before the bank holiday weekend if possible

zilog_jones

I managed to book mine online a few weeks ago for Ennis next week, would have been another two months if I booked for Limerick :rolleyes:

Anyone know what the Ennis test centre is like? Hopefully I can find the place!